Nursery bassinet unit

ABSTRACT

A nursery bassinet unit comprising a cabinet defining a table surface, a pair of parallel guide rails fixed to the cabinet and extending lengthwise along opposite edges of the table surface, a carriage constructed and arranged for riding on the parallel rails, and a bassinet carrier pivotally mounted on the carriage such that the bassinet is rotatably and translationally displaceable relative to the table surface.

United States Patent lnventor Denis Massie 1015 Bienville Street, Douville, Canada Appl. No. 854,944 Filed Sept. 3, 1969 Patented Jan. 4, 1972 NURSERY BASSINET UNIT 4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 5/93, 312/237, 312/249 Int. Cl A4711 7/00, A47b 83/00, A47b 91/00 Field of Search 5/93, 101, 332; 108/140, 142; 312/337, 341

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,280,913 4/1942 Hummel et al. 5/93 X 2,537,539 1/ 1951 McLendon et al.. 5/95 2,752,614 7/1956 Hayward 5/93 2,858,139 10/1958 Rivette 5/95 X Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Attorney-Pierre Lespearance ABSTRACT: A nursery bassinet unit comprising a cabinet defining a table surface, a pair of parallel guide rails fixed to the cabinet and extending lengthwise along opposite edges of the table surface, a carriage constructed and arranged for riding on the parallel rails, and a bassinet carrier pivotally mounted on the carriage such that the bassinet is rotatably and translationally displaceable relative to the table surface.

PATENTEDJAN 4192a SHEET 1 BF 2 lla ll F192 /NVEN7'OR Denis MASS/E BY eayzw AGENT PATENTEDJAN M972 3.631.547

SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR Denis MASS/E NURSERY BASSINET UNIT The present invention relates to bassinet units for the care of newly born babies and more particularly for the care of newly born babies in nurseries.

In nurseries and hospitals where the floor space is at premium, it is advantageous to be able to closely space the bassinets. With the present bassinet units, in order to gain access to the dressing table of the supporting cabinet, the bassinet is mounted for movement to an extended position overlying a substantial additional amount of floor space. In order to accommodate such bassinet units in nurseries, the aisles between the rows of bassinet units must be sufficiently wide to allow for such displacement of the bassinet while leaving an adequate passage for the personnel.-

It is another object of the invention to provide a bassinet unit wherein the bassinet is slidably and rotatably mounted relative to a table surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bassinet unit wherein the bassinet is movable between a retracted position and an extended transverse position.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a bassinet unit resulting in a minimum encumbrance of the floor space when the bassinet is in the extended position relative to a table surface.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a bassinet unit wherein the bassinet is rotatably mounted on a carriage constructed and arranged for translational displacement relative to a supporting cabinet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bassinet unit having a bassinet carrier of simple construction allowing easy tilting of the bassinet.

My invention consists in a nursery bassinet unit comprising a piece of furniture defining in combination a table surface, a pair of guide rails adapted to be fixedly mounted relative to the table surface, carriage means operatively associated to said guide rail means for translational displacement relative to the table surface, a bassinet carrier pivotally mounted on said carriage means for 90 rotation, such that a bassinet carried by the bassinet carrier is rotatably and translationally displaceable relative to the table surface. The rails are located adjacent the longitudinal edges of the table surface and are substantially equally distant from the centerline of said surface. The vertical pivot is located at the center of the bassinet carrier and substantially intersects the centerline of the table surface. In one position, the bassinet carrier and bassinet are wholly confined within the area of the table surface. In another position, the bassinet carrier and bassinet extend transversely of the table surface at one end thereof to expose the major part of the table surface while the ends of the bassinet carrier and bassinet protrude horizontally a substantially equal amount from the longitudinal edges of the table surface, so as to obstruct the aisles to a minimum.

My invention both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by references to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a front view of the bassinet unit of the invention, showing the bassinet in the retracted position;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of FIG. I with the bassinet in the extended transverse position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bassinet carrier;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the carriage adapted to pivotally support the bassinet carrier;

FIG. 5 is a partial view in cross section of a bearing surface element adapted to pivotally mount the bassinet carrier;

FIG. 6 is a view of the element of FIG. 5 mounted in operative position on the carriage;

FIG. 7 is a partial view, as seen in the direction of the arrows, along line 7-7 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the carriage as seen in the direction of the arrows along line 8-8 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of the bassinet carrier showing the bassinet in an inclined position.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. I, the bassinet unit of the invention basically comprises a cabinet I, a bassinet 2, a bassinet carrier 3 and a carriage 4.

The cabinet I is a substantially conventional dressing cabinet of standard steel construction as is now in common use in nurseries. The cabinet 1 comprises a utility compartment 5 accessible through front doors 6. The utility compartment is supported above the floor by means of four legs 7 attached in any well-known manner to the compartment 5. A set of casters 8, one for each leg 7, provide rolling ability to the bassinet and cabinet unit. A brake unit 9 comprising a resilient metal strip 9 and a camming actuator 10 is associated with one caster 8 such as to jam the latter, thereby preventing accidental displacement of the bassinet unit. Jamming ofthe one caster 8 is achieved by pressing down with the foot on the camming actuator 10 until the latter firmly urges the resilient strip 9 in contact with the one caster 8. The resilient strip 9 and the camming actuator 10 are constructed and arranged such that, in the braking position, the actuator 10 will be frictionally retained against the resilient strip 9. The upper surface of the cabinet 1 forms a dressing table 11 which may, if desired, be covered with a removable mattress or pad 12.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the top surface or table surface 11 of the cabinet 1 is provided with rails projecting upwardly thereof. Two anchoring postsl3 and 14 are spacedly located along each longitudinal edge of the rectangular table surface of the cabinet 1. One rail or guard 15 extends longitudinally along each edge of the top surface of the cabinet 1 and is connected as by welding, threading or the like between the corresponding pair of posts 13 and 14. A U-shaped tubing or rail element 16 extends between the two posts 14 such as to define a pair of parallel guide rail portions I7 extending longitudinally relative to the top surface 11 of the cabinet I along the longitudinal edges thereof. Rail portions 17 are substantially equally distant from the longitudinal centerline of table surface 11. A bracket 18 is fixed to the cabinet I and to the U- shaped element 16 to firmly hold the latter in position above the top surface of the dressing table 11. Preferably rail portions I7 protrude from one end of table surface 11 and cabinet The carriage 4 comprises a casing defined by a top wall I9, end walls 20,20 and sidewalls 21,21. Aligned holes 22 are provided in the end walls 20,20 and bushings 23 are mounted in said holes 22 such as to allow the carriage 4 to ride along the parallel rail portions 17 of the U-shaped element 16. In cooperation with each of the two parallel rail portions 17, in side the carriage 4, there are provided guiding rollers 24,24 and 25 rotatably mounted on brackets 26,26 and 27 respectively, such that the carriage 4 rides smoothly on the parallel rail portions 17. A raised bearing element 38 is provided on the top surface 19 of the carriage 4. The bearing element 28 is formed with a flat horizontal surface 29 having a hole 30 extending vertically therethrough. A slot 31 is provided around the periphery of the bearing surface 29. The slot 31 extends through an angle of at least as shown in FIG. 4.

The bassinet carrier 3 comprises a tubular rectangular frame 32 fixed to the upper ends of four upstanding posts 33 which are mounted on the respective ends of two intersecting supporting elements 34. The longer supporting element 34 is formed with the two notches 35 for a purpose to be explained later. The intersection of the two supporting elements 34 is formed into a bearing surface element 36, which, as shown in FIG. 6, is complementary to the shape of the raised bearing element 28. The bearing surface element 36 is provided with a hole 37 located at subsequently the center of bassinet carrier 3 and extending vertically for alignment with the hole 30 in the bearing surface 29. A pin 38 extends vertically through the aligned holes 30 and 37. Pin 38 is formed with an enlarged portion 39 at its upper end and a screw-threaded portion 40 at its lower end. The screw-threaded portion 40 is provided to receive a nut 41 to hold the bassinet carrier 3 in cooperation with the raised surface element 28 of the carriage 4. Pin 38 is the vertical pivot of bassinet carrier 3 and intersects the longitudinal centerline of table surface 11. A pin 42 projects through slot 31 in the side of the bearing surface element 28, such as to guide and limit the rotation of the bassinet carrier 3 relative to the carriage 4 and the cabinet 1. A bassinet 2 of the conventional transparent type and material, or of any other suitable type or material, is planned to be placed within the perimeter of the rectangular tubular frame 32, such as to rest on the intersecting supporting elements. 34. The bassinet 2 can be inclined by lifting one end of the bassinet and resting it on top of the adjacent short side of the rectangular frame 32 while the other end of the bassinet is placed against the corresponding notch 35, as shown in FIG. 9. As is well known in the art, a mattress or pad 43 may be positioned inside the bassinet 2 for the comfort of the baby. In its normal lengthwise centered position, bassinet 2 and bassinet carrier 3 are confined within the area of table surface 11. Guard rails prevent accidental rotation of bassinet 2 and bassinet carrier 3.

The displacement of the bassinet to one end of the cabinet and its rotation of 90, to adopt the position illustrated in F l(]. 2, results in very little use of extra floor space because the end portions of bassinet 2 and bassinet carrier 3 protrude horizontally substantially an equal amount from the longitudinal edges of table surface 11. Hence, the width of the aisles between rows of bassinet units in nurseries may be reduced for maximum utilization of the floor space In addition, a larger percentage of the table surface is freed for easier and safer care of the baby, so much so as most of the carriage protrudes from one end of table surface ll and cabinet 1.

Obviously, other means than slot 31 and pin 42 may be used to removably hold the bassinet at its two positions, 90 apart. For instance, a circular recess made in the inside lateral surface of bearing element 36 may receive one or the other two spring-pressed balls adapted to protrude from bearing element 28 and arranged at 90 apart.

What I claim is:

1. A nursery cabinet unit comprising, in combination, an elongated piece of furniture defining an elongated table surface at least coextensive with said piece of furniture and having longitudinal edges, a pair of spaced parallel guide rails fixedly mounted relative to said table surface, extending lengthwise thereof above said table surface in spaced parallel relationship therewith and adjacent the respective longitudinal edges of said table surface and substantially equally distant from the longitudinal centerline of said table surface. so that said table surface is exposed between said rails, carriage means movably supported by and extending across said guide rails for translational displacement along said guide rails between a first position substantially centrally of said table surface, and a second position at an end of said table surface, and an elongated bassinet carrier pivotally mounted on said carriage means about a pivot substantially perpendicular to said table surface, and substantially intersecting the centerline of said table surface and located at substantially the center portion of said elongated bassinet carrier for pivotal movement about said pivot between first and second pivotal positions in which said bassinet carrier extends lengthwise of and substantially transverse of said table surface respectively, such that in said first positions of said carriage means and said bassinet carrier respectively, said bassinet carrier and a bassinet carried thereby are disposed longitudinally of and are confined within the area of said table surface, and in said second positions of said carrier means and said bassinet carrier respectively, said bassinet carrier and a bassinet carried thereby uncover the major area of said table surface and their end portions protrude horizontally a substantially equal amount from the underlying respective longitudinal edges of said table surface.

2. A nursery cabinet unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide rails protrude at one end from one end of said table surface and said carriage means in its second position protrudes from said one end of said table surface. I

3. A nursery cabinet unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide rails protrude at one end from one end of said table surface and said carriage means in its second position protrudes from said one end of said table surface.

4. A nursery cabinet unit as claimed in claim 1, further including a pair of spaced parallel guard rails fixedly mounted relative to said table surface extending lengthwise thereof above said table surface and above the level of said guide rails, and located at the end portion of said table surface opposite the end portion over which said carriage means is disposed when in its second position, said guard rails preventing rotation of said bassinet carrier and a bassinet carried thereby when said carriage means and said bassinet carrier are in their first positions. 

1. A nursery cabinet unit comprising, in combination, an elongated piece of furniture defining an elongated table surface at least coextensive with said piece of furniture and having longitudinal edges, a pair of spaced parallel guide rails fixedly mounted relative to said table surface, extending lengthwise thereof above said table surface in spaced parallel relationship tHerewith and adjacent the respective longitudinal edges of said table surface and substantially equally distant from the longitudinal centerline of said table surface, so that said table surface is exposed between said rails, carriage means movably supported by and extending across said guide rails for translational displacement along said guide rails between a first position substantially centrally of said table surface, and a second position at an end of said table surface, and an elongated bassinet carrier pivotally mounted on said carriage means about a pivot substantially perpendicular to said table surface, and substantially intersecting the centerline of said table surface and located at substantially the center portion of said elongated bassinet carrier for pivotal movement about said pivot between first and second pivotal positions in which said bassinet carrier extends lengthwise of and substantially transverse of said table surface respectively, such that in said first positions of said carriage means and said bassinet carrier respectively, said bassinet carrier and a bassinet carried thereby are disposed longitudinally of and are confined within the area of said table surface, and in said second positions of said carrier means and said bassinet carrier respectively, said bassinet carrier and a bassinet carried thereby uncover the major area of said table surface and their end portions protrude horizontally a substantially equal amount from the underlying respective longitudinal edges of said table surface.
 2. A nursery cabinet unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide rails protrude at one end from one end of said table surface and said carriage means in its second position protrudes from said one end of said table surface.
 3. A nursery cabinet unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide rails protrude at one end from one end of said table surface and said carriage means in its second position protrudes from said one end of said table surface.
 4. A nursery cabinet unit as claimed in claim 1, further including a pair of spaced parallel guard rails fixedly mounted relative to said table surface extending lengthwise thereof above said table surface and above the level of said guide rails, and located at the end portion of said table surface opposite the end portion over which said carriage means is disposed when in its second position, said guard rails preventing rotation of said bassinet carrier and a bassinet carried thereby when said carriage means and said bassinet carrier are in their first positions. 